Erie County Farm Bureau Policies For 2011-2012

Accepted policies adopted September 7, 2011

We the members of the Erie County Farm Bureau resolve…

Local/County

  1. We support mowing, at least the corners at intersections, more often to maintain visibility for safety on county and township roads.
  2. We support registration/licensing for outside contractors (storm chasers) who come into the community after a storm.
  3. We support increased use of locally grown foods for residents and schools.
  4. We support continued implementation of "central dispatch."
  5. We support maintaining local recycling (Mason Road - Central Erie Elevator; Berlin Township Maintenance Center; Vermilion Township Garage; Erie County Landfill; Florence Township on Florence-Wakeman Road; Groton Township Hall on Portland Road; Margaretta Township Garage; City of Sandusky - 2 locations).
  6. We support requiring drivers to show proof of insurance when renewing a license plate.
  7. We support making more information available to the general public on the proper use of lawn/garden chemicals.
  8. We support stronger enforcement of traffic laws for bicyclists.

State

  1. We support the continued control of the turnpike by the State turnpike Commission instead of privatization.
  2. We support reducing the deer population.
  3. We support the control of noxious weeds.
  4. We support requiring drivers to show proof of insurance when renewing a license plate.
  5. We support continued local control of county jails as opposed to privatization.
  6. We support adequate funding of any mandates.
  7. We support eliminating the requirement of all local entities to purchase and maintain the unaffordable MARCS (Multi-Agency Radio Communication System) equipment.
  8. We support the control of visually obstructing vegetation at highway intersections.
  9. We support the transition of the agricultural easement and purchase program to be administered at a local and regional level rather than centralized by the O.D.A. (Ohio Department of Agriculture).

National

  1. We support all states adopting Ez-Pass.
  2. We support a federal balanced budget.
  3. We support simplifying the application process for conservations programs on working farmland.
  4. We support more emphasis in the Farm Bill safety net, with affordable crop insurance, instead of fixed direct payments.
  5. We support continued federal enhanced income tax benefits for the donation of conservation and agricultural easements.